Bulkhead



March 1957 s. B. SEVERSON 3,

BULKHEAD Filed Sept. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

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March 28, 1967 5 SEVERSON 3,311,042

BULKHEAD Filed Sept. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sylvester B. .Severson 1 N VE N TOR United States Patent Office 3,311,042 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 This application constitutes a c'ontinuation-in-part of co-pending US. application, Ser. No. 173,381, filed Feb. 15, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates to prefabricated movable partitions and particularly those of a type which have high insulating characteristics which may be used for partitioning off the interiors of refrigerated railroad cars, refrigerated truck bodies, tractor-trailer bodies, or the interiors of buildings.

Briefly, the invention comprises a lightweight, insulated panel or partition which may be easily transported or moved about and locked in position by an inflatable tube which surrounds a portion of the periphery of the partition and engages the interior wall surface of the chamber to be partitioned when the tube is inflated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight, insulated partition which may be easily transported and quickly installed Without the need of any special tools or any special skill on the part of the operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a partition which is suitable for dividing the interior-s of hollow structures into a 'plurality of compartments of any desired size.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a movable partition which may be quickly and temporarily or permanent-1y installed in a chamber having finished interior surfaces by means of an inflatable gasket extending about the upper portion thereof so that the finished surfaces will not be scratched or injured in any way. Thus, the partition may be removed at a later date and the retouching or repair of the remaining wall surfaces is unnecessary.

It is a still further object of the present inventionto provide a movable partition of high insulating characteristics having the upper portion-provided with means for sealingly engaging the wall surfaces of a chamber to be partitioned, the bottom surface thereof being substantially flat and Wear resistant.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable panel which may not only serve as a wall but also may function as a door in the sense that a chamber or room open at one end may be filled with cargo and then the opening maybe sealed by the partition. At a later date, the partition may be removed thereby providing a large access opening for removing the cargo.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable panel which will serve as a compartmentalizing wall and which includes a cl'osabledoorway therein for providing access to adjacent compartments.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a partition that may function as a bulkhead for dividing the interior of a tractor-trailer into compartments, and the bulkhead may be easily stored .by laying it on the floor of the trailer when not in use thereby occupying a minimum space.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a movable partition which is fabricated of lightweight material and includes insulation therein which is waterproof and lightweight.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight partition including inflatable self-seating end walls, which partition carries its 'own means for inflating the end walls.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view through a chamber showing the invention in elevation installed in the chamber so as to divide it into two compartments;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 2 illustrating a modified form of the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a partial elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 1 illustrating a still further modified form of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings with more particularity, it may be seen that the bulkhead generally denoted by reference numeral is installed in a rectangular box-like compartment including side walls 12 and 14, a top wall or ceiling 16 and a floor 18. These walls, for example, may comprise the cargo carrying compartment of the tractor-trailer or the like.

The partition 10 comprises a substantially flat member and is composed of two outside sheets of molded fiberglass reinforced plastic as shown at and 22. Each sheet is substantially the same shape as the chamber defined by the walls and floor 12, 14, 16 and 18; however, the sheets are of slightly smaller dimension than the chamber in which they are used. The sheets are each provided with a plurality of longitudinal and parallel ribs 24 which are deflected outwardly from the surface of the bulkhead and have slanted side surfaces and a flat outer surface parallel to the surface of the bulkhead as shown in FIGURE 2. The sheets 20 and 22 are held in spaced relation and bonded together by an insulating panel of polyurethane foam insulation 26.

The top and side peripheries of the sheets 20 and 22 are each provided with flanges 28 and 30, respectively, which are arcuate in cross section and have outwardly facing concave surfaces. The flanges are continuous around the side and upper peripheries of the insulating panel and the flange 30 has a slightly larger periphery than the flange 28 whereby the flange 28 may be internested with the flange 30 as shown in FIGURES 2-4.

The flanges are concentric with one another and extend substantially across the outer periphery of the insulating panel 26. The internesting relationship between the flanges 28 and 30 permit the sheets to be snapped together. However, to ensure that the sheets stay in fixed relationship with respect to each other, a layer of epoxy type glue 32, well known to those skilled in the art, is placed between the flanges 28 and 30 to bind them together. A flexible inflatable tube 34 is stretched around the top and side peripheries of the bulkhead and is received in the arcuate groove formed by the outer surface of flange 30. The tube preferably is fabricated of heavyduty rubber and is closed at the ends thereof adjacent the bottom of the sides of the partition. A flexible covering 36, preferably of fiber-reinforced neoprene sheet material or the like, is fastened to the sheets 20 and 22 by a plurality of rivets 38, the flexible covering 36 extending over the tube 34 throughout its length. Further, four The tube 42 is normally sealed by a cap 44. As shown erally denoted by reference numeral 46. The recess 46 is a vertically oriented elongated recess including an upper T-portion 48 and a lower L-portion 50. A conventional air pump 52 is releasably mounted in the recess 46 and does not extend outwardly past the ribs 24.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the bulkhead is provided with a plurality of recesses 54 in each side which contain conventional pivoted U-shaped handles 56 which normally are retained in the recesses 54, but may be pivoted outwardly therefrom for manually lifting and transporting thebulkhead. Normally, one or two men can easily transport a single bulkhead of the type used to divide conventional size rooms of trailers.

In order. to divide a compartment into a plurality of chambers by the bulkhead 10, it is only necessary to place the bulkhead in position as illustrated in the drawings and then inflate the tube 34 through nozzle 42 by use of the pump 52 so that the tube 34 expands against the flexible covering 36 forcing the covering into tight frictional engagement with the walls and ceiling defining the chamber. The bottom portion of the bulkhead 10 is substantially flat, the tube 34 not extending over the bottom portion of the periphery of the bulkhead 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, it will be observed that the bottom portion of the bulkhead includes a channel member 62 of molded fiberglass reinforced plastic. An outerv covering of canvas 58 and a rubber channel 60 cover fiberglass reinforced channel 62. The plastic channel member 62 .is, of course, of material similar to that of sheets and 22 and is attached to the bottom portion of the sheets 20 and 22 by a layer of epoxy type glue 64 which extends completely across the width of the sheets. Further, the plastic channel 62 is retained in place on the bottom of the sheets 20 and 22 by a pluralwhich is useful when the bulkhead 10 is dragged across compartment floors. Thus, it will be apparent that when the bulkhead 10 is in place, and the tube 34 inflated, all the peripheries of the bulkhead will be forced into tight frictional engagement with the walls, ceiling and flooring ofthe chamber.

To remove the bulkhead, it is only necessary to deflate the tube 34 by means of the conduit and valve 42 so that the tube will contract and permit easy removal of the partition or bulkhead by means of the handles 56. When the bulkhead 10 is not in use, it can be laid in a horizontal position on the floor 18 for storage.

It is to be noted that the ribs 24 do not only provide reinforcement'for the bulkhead,.but-also permit air circulation between the ribs when articles or produce are contacting the surfaces of the bulkhead. This is particularly important when the bulkhead is used in refrigerated compartments.

his to be further noted that when the bulkhead is to be removed, the surfaces of the walls 12, 14 and 16 and the surface of the floor 18 will not be damaged due to the softness and resiliency of the covering member 36 as well as the canvas covering 58 and rubber channel 60.

The insulating panel 28 of polyurethane foam insulation not only forms an effective insulation, but also effectively bonds the sheets 20 and 22 together by bonding to the internal surfaces of the sheets 20 and 22 and preventing flexure of the flanges 28 and 30 sufiicient to enable the flanges to be snapped out of their internested position, as for example might occur if the holding force of the epoxy glue layer 32 were to be overcome, or if the epoxy glue were omitted.

Included in the embodiment of the present invention illustratedin FIGS. 1-3 is a door 68 which is easy open-- ing, yet tight sealing. The door 68 is hung on conventional hinges 70 and 72 which are attached to the sheet 22 and further includes upper and lower conventional closure handles 74 and 76. The door is preferably fabricated of molded fiberglass reinforced plastic material as are the sheets 20 and 22 and channel 62, and also insulated with polyurethane foam similar to the foam 26 included between sheets 20 and 22. Thus, the door 68 cannot warp, swell, rust or rot and will provide a continuous insulating surface with the sheets 20 and 22, while at the same time providing selective access through the bulkhead 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, a further modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment of the invention, a recess 146 is provided in sheet 20, the recess being identical to recess 46 in sheet 22. Mounted in the recess 146 is a pump 152 similar to pump 52 described above, and a filling and exhaust nozzle 142 extending from tube 34 and opening to the recess 146 similarly to the tube 42 described above. Thus, in this embodiment of. the invention, it will be appreciated that an additional pump and valve are provided on the opposite side of the bulkhead and at the opposite end thereof thereby making it possible to inflate or deflate the tubes 34 from either side of the bulkhead. It will be understood, of course, that the door 68 may be omitted from the bulkhead if desired, and the additional recess 146 be provided, or any desired combination of the two.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a still further modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment of the invention, a fan generally denoted by reference numeral is mounted in the bulkhead by mounting screws 82. The fan 80 is preferably thermostatically controlled for use in refrigerated compartments and is useful for moving cold air from, for example, a 'frozen food compartment to a perishable compartment, if so desired.

Other modifications of the invention may be provided if desired, including casters (not illustrated) which may be installed on the bottom edge of the panel so that it may be rolled into position. After the panel is rolled into position, the casters may then be removed. Further, it will be appreciated that any combination of features illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 4 and 5 may be provided on any particular bulkhead 10 in accordance with the requirements of use thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A partition for dividing an article storage chamber formed by enclosing wall surfaces comprising a generally flat member having upper, lower and side peripheral edges, expansible means on the upper and side edges of the member adapted to be expanded into sealing and frictional engagement with said surfaces whereby the chamber is divided into two sections substantially sealed from one another, substantially flat channel means on saidbottom peripheral edge, said channel means being covered by a resilient protective covering and said expansible means covered by a flexible protective covering whereby said surfaces will be protected from marring or scratching, said expansible means being disposed in a groove formed in said upper and side peripheries of said flat member, said flat member including a pair of spaced reinforced plastic sheets having an insulation panel extending between the sheets, each of said sheets including a flange which is arcuate in cross section, said flanges being disposed in an internesting relationship to form said groove.

2. The partition of claim 1 wherein said arcuate flanges have outwardly facing concave surfaces which are concentrically positioned in their internesting relationship.

3. The partition of claim 1 wherein said insulating panel is formed of polyurethane foam.

4. The partition of claim 1 wherein said flat member includes a generally centrally positioned opening therein, and door means sealingly engaged in said opening and adapted to be selectively moved out of said sealing engagement.

5. The partition of claim 1 wherein one of said sheets includes a recess therein, air flow conduit means open at one end to said expansible means and extending into said recess, and air pump means releasably mounted in said recess there-by providing means carried by said partition for inflating and deflating said expansible means.

6. The partition of claim 5 wherein each said sheet includes an identical recess therein, each said recess having air pump means releasably mounted therein, and a pair of air flow conduit means each opening at one end to said expansible means and at their respective other ends to one of said recesses.

7. The partition of claim 1 including a thermostatically controlled fan mounted in said partition, said fan being open to each side of said partition whereby air from one side may be drawn to the other side.

8. A partition for dividing an article storage chamber formed by enclosing wall surfaces, said partition comprising a generally rectangular panel-like structure including closely spaced opposite sides and generally parallel upstanding sheets, each of said sheets including a laterally projecting peripheral flange on at least the upper and side edge portions thereof constructed of flexible but stiff material, said flanges each projecting toward the other sheet and being generally one-half cylindrical in cross section, said sheets being secured together with said peripheral flanges snapped into internested relation, said flanges including complementary different radii of curvature so as to be disposed in surface-to-surface contacting relation and each extending at least substantially the entire distance between said sheets and substantially closing the cavity defined between said sheets, said onehalf cylindrical flanges having their concave surfaces facing outwardly, and a stiif expanded foam plastic filler body disposed in and substantially completely filling said cavity whereby inward flexure of the innermost flange suflicient to enable said nest of flanges to be snapped from engagement with each other is prevented.

9. The combination of claim 8 including a frame-like inflatable resilient seal member seated in the outermost flange of said peripheral flanges and extending about the side and top peripheries of said partition.

10. A partition for dividing an article storage chamber formed by enclosing wall surfaces, said partition comprising a generally panel-like structure including closely spaced opposite sides and generally parallel sheets, each of said sheets including a laterally projecting peripheral flange on the upper side surfaces thereof constructed of flexible but stiff material, said flanges each projecting toward the other sheet and being generally one-half cylindrical in cross section, said sheets being secured together with said peripheral flanges internested, said flanges including complementary different radii of curvature so as to be disposed in surface-to-surface contacting relation and extending at least substantially the entire distance between said sheets and substantially closing the cavity defined between said sheets, the bottom portion of said sheets being closed by a channel member extending therebetween, said one-half cylindrical flanges having their concave surfaces facing outwardly, and a stiff filler body disposed in and substantially completely filling said cavity whereby inward flexure of the innermost flange sufiicient to enable said nest of flanges to be snapped from engagement with each other is prevented, a frame-like inflatable resilient seal member seated in the outermost flange of said peripheral flanges and extending about the side and top peripheries of said partition, an opening in the partition, door means hingedly mounted for selective sealing engagement in said opening thereby providing access through said partition when desired.

11. A partition for dividing an article storage chamber formed by enclosing wall surfaces, said partition comprising a generally panel-like structure including closely spaced opposite sides and generally parallel sheets, each of said sheets including a laterally projecting peripheral flange on the upper side surfaces thereof constructed of flexible but stiff material, said flanges each projecting toward the other sheet and being generally one-half cylindrical in cross section, said sheets being secured together with said peripheral flanges internested, said flanges including complementary different radii of curvature so as to be disposed in surface-to-surface contacting relation and extending at least substantially the entire distance between said sheets and substantially closing the cavity defined between said sheets, the bottom portion of said sheets being closed by a channel member extending therebetween, said one-half cylindrical flanges having their concave surfaces facing outwardly, and a stiff filler body disposed in and substantially completely filling said cavity whereby inward flexure of the innermost flange suflicient to enable said nest of flanges to be snapped from engagement with each other is prevented, a frame-like inflatable resilient seal member seated in the outermost flange of said peripheral flanges and extending about the side and top peripheries of said partition, one of said sheets including a recess therein, means opening to said recess for providing access to said seal member, and means removably mounted in said recess for pumping air to said seal member through said access providing means.

12. The combination of claim 8 including a channel member extending along and embracingly receiving therein the bottom edges of said sheets.

13. A partition for dividing an article storage chamber formed by enclosing Wall surfaces comprising a generally flat member having upper, lower and side peripheral edges, expansible means on the upper and side edges of the member adapted to be expanded into sealing and frictional engagement with said surfaces whereby the chamber is divided into two sections substantially sealed from one another, substantially flat channel means on said bottom peripheral edge, said channel means being covered by a resilient protective covering and said expansible means covered by a flexible protective covering whereby said surfaces will be protected from marring or scratching, said expansible means being disposed in a groove formed in said upper and side peripheries of said fiat member.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said flat member includes a generally centrally positioned opening therein, and door means sealingly engaged in said opening and adapted to be selectively moved out of said sealing engagement.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein one of said sheets includes a recess therein, air flow conduit means open at one end to said expansible means and extending into said recess, and air pump means releasably mounted in said recess thereby providing means carried by said partition for inflating and deflating said expansible means.

References (Zited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,104,144 1/1938 Zand. 2,448,413 8/1948 Borghesi 248188.1 2,527,084 10/1950 Smith 20-69 X 2,530,160 11/1950 Finley 20-69 FOREIGN PATENTS 484,095 9/1929 Germany.

MEYER PERLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PARTITION FOR DIVIDING AN ARTICLE STORAGE CHAMBER FORMED BY ENCLOSING WALL SURFACES COMPRISING A GENERALLY FLAT MEMBER HAVING UPPER, LOWER AND SIDE PERIPHERAL EDGES, EXPANSIBLE MEANS ON THE UPPER AND SIDE EDGES OF THE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE EXPANDED INTO SEALING AND FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SURFACES WHEREBY THE CHAMBER IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY SEALED FROM ONE ANOTHER, SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CHANNEL MEANS ON SAID BOTTOM PERIPHERAL EDGE, SAID CHANNEL MEANS BEING COVERED BY A RESILIENT PROTECTIVE COVERING AND SAID EXPANSIBLE MEANS COVERED BY A FLEXIBLE PROTECTIVE COVERING WHEREBY SAID SURFACES WILL BE PROTECTED FROM MARRING OR SCRATCHING, SAID EXPANSIBLE MEANS BEING DISPOSED IN A GROOVE FORMED IN SAID UPPER AND SIDE PERIPHERIES OF SAID FLAT MEMBER, SAID FLAT MEMBER INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED REINFORCED PLASTIC SHEETS HAVING AN INSULATION PANEL EXTENDING BETWEEN THE SHEETS, EACH OF SAID SHEETS INCLUDING A FLANGE WHICH IS ARCUATE IN CROSS SECTION, SAID FLANGES BEING DISPOSED IN AN INTERNESTING RELATIONSHIP TO FORM SAID GROOVE. 